Sealing device



Aug 8, 1950 c. E. wUENscH 2,518,415

SEALING DEVICE Filed June 5, 1944 Patented Aug. 8, 1950 -SEALING DEVICE Charles Erb Wuensch, Saratoga, |Calif., by decree of distribution to Eunice L. Wuensch Application June 5, 1944, serial No. 538,795

' ooi. 286-11) Claims.

' This 'invention relates to bearing seals and more particularly to centrifugal seals and sealing means for rotary shafts.

Among the objects of the invention is the prevention of Vleakage along rotating shafts with the minimum of frictionand wear.

, Another object is the permission of a limited longitudinalV movement of the rotating shaft without causing leakage past the sealing means.

A further object is the .fprovision of a substitute for the conventional' stufing box with its compression gland and the incidental friction and Wearon the shaft by the compressed packing.

Another` Objectis the provision of a rotary bearing seal which actively prevents the entry of fluid and grit to the bearing.

Further objects are-to provide a construction of maximum simplicity, economy and ease of assembly and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and those which are inherently possessed in the device.

In order to disclose the nature of the invention herein reference is madeto the accompanying' drawing which illustratesa preferred form ofthe present invention. But it is to be understood that it is'not limited to these forms for itl may be embodied in modifications Within the spirit of the invention and withinthe scope of the claims following the description.

In the one sheet of drawings:

Figure, 1 is a vertical nsectionxgofl a bearing seal constructed in accordance with this invention taken on the line I-I of Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a front view of the same taken on the line II-II of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a front view detail ofthe sealing member.

In detail the structure illustrated in the drawings, referring iirst to Figure 1, comprises the wall I of a pump casing or the like through which the rotating shaft 2 extends. The sealing annulus 3 is bolted to the wall I and has the internal flange 4, surrounding the shaft but out of contact'with and spaced from it. A gasket 5 is interposed between the wall I and the sealing annulus and is compressed and the assembly held in iirm engagement by the bolts such as 6.

The threaded sleeve I is keyed to the shaft 2 in any suitable manner and has the inner head flange 8 thereon. The external cap 9 is threaded on the outer end of the sleeve I and is fixed to the shaft by the set screw I0. The external cap 9 also has annular ilange II thereon. Col- 2 lars I2 and I3 ,areV threaded on the sleeve betweenthe flanges 8 and I I.

The annular sealing rings I4 and I5 encircle the shaft and are compressed between the anges 8 and II and the collars I2 and I3 respectively, so they will rotate as a unit with sleeve 'I. vThe space between the cap 9 and the end of the sleeve I can :be lled with a compressible packing I6 to prevent leakage at this point. As a further precaution against leakage the rings I4 and I5 can be threaded on the sleeve 1.

The sealing rings I4 and I5 are preferably composed of a suitable resilient material or rubber-like compound that isslightly compressible and laterally yielding. The replaceable sealing lips I'I and I8- are inserted in the face of the inturned heads of the sealing rings and bear against theopposite sides of the flange 4 of thevstationary sealingannulus 3 and prevent I4 and I5. If lubrication is by means of a suit-y able hydrocarbon, it may be introduced by the cup 20 feeding through a hole 20a passing through the flange 4. If water is used as the lubricant, then the cup 20 is replaced by a suitable coupling for attaching a continuous source of Water. The exuding water or other lubricant lubricates the faces of lips I'I and I8 pressing against both surfaces of annulus 4 and assists in preventing the entrance through leakage of air or gritty matter from the pump or the fluid being sealed against.

The whole sealing unit described can be assembled on the sleeve, ready for installation by slipping the sleeve over the end of the shaft, keying the same thereto, bolting the ring 3 to the casing wall I and tightening the setscrew I0.

Centrifugal force tends to force the lubricating water or other lubricant against the sealing lips I1 and I8 to lubricate their running contact with the flange 4. The head pressure against the sealing ring I4 if the pump is operating under pressure, tends to force it against the ange 4 and increase the sealing effect. A cup shaped cover plate 2| is fastened to the fixed sealing annulus 3 to catch any momentary leakage from the pump When starting and the lubricating water during operation, if Water lubrication is used. These drain through a small pipe 22 at the bottom of the cover plate 2|.

It should be observed that in this device the peripheral velocity of the sealing rings. [4, land l is greater than at any other point` near'the revolving shaft. Accordingly travel of air or liquid Will be actually diverted from the point cfr maximum velocity. Because of the speed of rotation and the Centrifugal action resulting there.- from, there will be no tendency for air or liquid to enter the space represented by the clearance between the periphery of the sealing rings [4 and I5 and the fixed sealing annulus 3.

When the pump is shut down the sealing ring I4 will press against the flange 4 and act as a check valve preventing any leakage from the pump. Ifv the pump is Working under suction the pressure exerted from the sealing ring l5 against the ii'ange f Will supplement the sealing action. The flexible or elastic sealing rings Il! and l5 are slightly curved and may be heavier at the periphery (this is augmented by the weight of replaceable packing rings l? and 8). When the feed t0 the pump is operating under a slight pressure head it is. not necessary that the rings I4y and lrpress against the faces of annulus 4 and no lubricating water is necessary. It isv apparent that the. wearing faces of annulus 4 can be. faced with rubber or any other suitable ma terial and that they may be madeV replaceable- I claim: Y

1. AA bearing seal comprising in combination a threaded sleeve having a head ange, a cap threaded on the opposite end of said sleeve, spaced collars threaded on said sleeve between said head ange and cap, a sealing annulus encircling said sleeve, and sealing rings fixed between said head flange and said collars and cap respectively and hearing against the opposite sides of said annulus.

2. A bearing seal comprising in combination a threaded sleeve having a head ange, a cap threaded on the opposite end of said sleeve, spaced collars threaded on said sleeve between said head ange and cap, a sealing annulus encircling said sleeve, sealing ringsv xed between said head flange and said collars and cap and bearing against the opposite sides of said annulus respectively, Yand an expansive retainer interposed between said collars.

3. A bearing seal comprising in combination a threaded sleeve having a head flange, a cap threaded on the opposite end of said sleeve. spaced collars threaded on said sleeve between said head flange and cap, a sealing annulus encircling said sleeve, resilient sealing rings fixed between said head ange and said collars and cap, replaceable sealing lips on said sealing rings and bearing against the opposite sides of said annulus respectively, and an expansive retainer interposed between said collars.

4. In a centrifugal bearing seal in combination, a sleeve having a head flange on one end thereof and adapted to be secured to a rotating shaft, a.y cap at the opposite end of and carried on said sleeve, spaced collars carried by said sleeve between said ange and said cap, a fixed sealing annulus encircling said sleeve, and sealing rings fixed between said frange and collar and` said collar and cap respectively bearing against opposite sides of said annuius.

5. In a. centrifugal water lubricated bearing seal. in combination, a threaded sleeve adapted to be secured to: a rotating shaft, a stationary sealing annulus encircling said sleeve, sealing ringsy fixed on and carried byr said sleeve with replaceable sealing faces therein bearing against the opposite sides of, said annulus, means for supplying Water for lubrication of the sealing rings, and external means. having a suitable external drain for enclosing the entire sealing assembly.

CHARLES ERB WUENSCH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are ofrecord in: the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENT Number Name Date 1,846,598 Hodgkinson Feb. 23, 1932 1,850,571 Shively Mar. 22, 1932 1,931,733l Leibing Oct. 24, 1933 1,983,855 Jenkins Dec. 11, 1934 2,140,356 Gutman Dec. 13', 1938 2,144,691 Schmal Jan. 24, 1939 2,227,408 Hately Dec. 31, 1940 2,418,707 Groot Apr. 8, 194'? FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 19,968' Great Britain of 1909 

